A Pleasant Surprise in the North Country

Last year when it was announced that the North American Snowsports Journalist Association www.nasja.org wast having their annual convention in Lutsen, Minnesota I said: “Where?!….Why?!…Lutsen?!”. It was the first time we have had a convention in the midwest and boy, am I glad we did.

At first I was wondering whether to make the effort and spend the money to go to northern Minnesota in March but I figured it would be a perfect opportunity to see a region of the country I have never been to and may never see again- it has never been on the top of my “to do” list, ut it should’ve.

Lutsen is about 100 miles northeast of Duluth. A pleasant drive on a two lane road along Lake Superiors’ north shore. This is the rocky side of Lake Superior and the scenery can be dramatic. Watch out for deer along this stretch of road, they are everywhere especially in the mornings and evenings.

The Lutsen resort is an rustic yet cozy inn on the shore of the lake adjacent to the Poplar River directly below and across the highway from the ski resort. I opted to stay in the newly constructed condos a short walk across the river on a quaint covered foot bridge. My room was small but well appointed with a direct lake view, a gas fireplace and a deck.

My room at Lutsen Resort

Alpine skiing at Lutsen www.lutsen.com began on Thursday and the annual NASJA ski race took place in the afternoon. With just under 1000 vertical feet Lutsen is not a big mountain but they do alot with what they have. As my fellow NASJA member and friend Phil Johnson of Clifton Park said: “Theres not alot of vertical…but there a heck of alot of horizontal”. Despite having a recent thaw and rain followed by cold air the snow conditions were quite good- a few icy spots but that was about it.

Being on the north side of the Great Lakes Lutsen doesn’t get the heavy lake-effect snow they get on the south side of the lakes but the snow tends to be fairly light and dry much of the time. If you go to Lutsen in mid-winter dress for som cold weather. This region often gets well below zero. I would suggest March as the temperatures tend to be a little more tolerable.

Me at the top of Lutsen

If you decide to go to Lutsen don’t expect a hustling-bustling resort. It is very laid back and nothing is fancy. The hosts half joked that they have their “dress fleece”, that’s the fleece the don’t use to carry the firewood into the house. The nearest town is Grand Marais about 25 miles farther up the highway. Rural, you bet…Cook county is about the size of Rhode Island and it has 5000 residence- most of whom live in a narrow strip along the lake shore. I think more deer live there than people.

Below are some pictures of the region and some of the many activities we took part in.

Now that you know how to do it, keep in mind that you are living near one of the most popular ice climbing regions in the country. All around Keene Valley there is some wonderful ice to sample, and several good guide services to help out, as well.

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